Moroccan Lamb Burgers

We had these last night for dinner. They are very flavorful and delicious. We served them like traditional burgers with baked beans, chips, salad, and watermelon for dessert. I don’t know if I’ll ever go back to regular burgers. Sorry I don’t have any pictures of them. We ate them too fast for that.

1 Lb. ground Lamb

2 T chopped fresh mint

2 T. Chopped fresh Cilantro

2 T. Chopped fresh oregano

1 T. chopped garlic

1 tsp. sherry

1 tsp. White wine vinegar

1 tsp. molasses

1 tsp. cumin

¼ Tsp allspice

½ tsp red pepper flakes

½ tsp salt

½ tsp pepper

4 pita rounds

4 oz. feta cheese, crumbled

Preheat grill medium heat. Place the lamb in a large bowl and mix all ingredients except pitas and feta. Mix well. Shape into four patties. Oil grill grates. Grill burgers 5 minutes on each side. Heat pitas briefly on grill. Serve burgers wrapped in pitas with feta cheese.

Jack Update

Jack’s favorite activity besides breastfeeding has most recently been climbing stairs. Which is why as I am typing this he is moaning “Nay, Nay, Nay” in his Johnny jump up. I tried unsuccessfully to put up the baby gate I bought a few months ago, finding it to be of shoddy construction and about a foot too short. In order too get anything done until said gate is put up he must either be in his Johnny Jump up or I am following him up the stairs.

Whenever he remembers that the stairs are there, he shoots off into his rocket crawl mode, find the first stair, pulls himself up, looks back at me as if to say “aren’t you proud of me Mom?”, bangs on the next stair, and on and on and on, until we have reached the top.

Other favorite activities include banging on my laptop, reading books upside down, flinging with abandon any and all papers, phones, books, pens, knives, that may have been inadvertently left on the table onto the floor.

Oh and also screeching at the cat, eating cat food, taste testing quarters from Mom’s wallet (fortunately he spit them out and left them on the floor), eating invitations.

He loves being around other babies or toddlers or generally anyone under 5 feet tall, smiling at them and trying to make eye contact. When we are at home just the two of us he is constantly grunting, panting, saying “Ah, Eh, Ma-Ma, Nay Nay, Uh” and the current favorite a grunt that means– “I don’t like what you are doing– and if you don’t stop I will flail my arms and scream”

All that said- he is a delight and I am loving most of every minute– gotta go– he has found some chapstick and has decided it looks yummy.

I’m Back

Thanks to everyone who posted/emailed/called about the house color. I am still deciding about the color– I really don’t want this blog to be about my house color and decorating options– but I do appreciate your input and will let you know when we decide what color–

We had a great time at Sea Island. It was wonderful to visit with family, relax, do yoga, have someone else dote over and love on Jack. Because we don’t live near family every minute spent with them is precious. Jack’s favorite thing besides seeing Honey, Papa McCormick, and his Auntie Faith was crawling into the pool at the Beach Club. Lest you think I allowed my precious bumpkin to crawl headfirst into the pool– let me assure you–the slope of the pool allowed him to crawl in as far and he wanted– and he did– all the way– past his head– we really had to watch him. A bonus of the week is that he now loves the water– before this he was a little unsure of anything liquid.

While I really enjoyed my time at Sea Island– I couldn’t help feeling like I was in a dreamworld. Here where we live in Richmond, many houses go unpainted, trash is ubiquitous, and landscaping often nonexistent. To go from that to Sea Island, which is filled with second homes that are spotless, perfectly maintained in every way– from the manicured grounds to pools to antiques.

I really don’t know where I am going with this. Just to say that it is hard to vacillate between a place of incredible wealth and one where many people are having trouble finding work, much less a second home.

Decorating HELP — I still need it!

Okay people, I need some help. This is our home. Mia our cat is posing for you on the sidewalk. We are planning to paint the trim on our house. It is currently a shade of burgundy that I detest. The white siding is staying the same as is the gray porch. The metal storm windows that neither keep cold air out nor help with the look of the house are going as well. Any ideas on what color to paint the trim/door? Should we paint the railings of the porch a color too– at least the top of the railing. I was thinking a dark gray but wanted ideas, inspiration, etc. Thanks in advance for your fabulous advice.

Edited to add- I had one vote for forest green– any more thoughts?

If you don’t hear from me

for a few days that’s because Jack, Matt and I are headed to Sea Island, GA for some fun in the sun, hopefully yoga, and time with some of Jack adoring fans including his auntie Faith, my mom “Honey,” and my dad “he is still deciding on his name and Jack is almost a year old.”

Good Read

Jack’s godfather came over for dinner last night. He is an amazing, sensitive, kind, outspoken man that we hope will encourage Jack to love God as much as he does. He is around 45, single, and has a unique life story. His movie star good looks and flair for clothes make him quite a dashing figure.

Jack is currently terrified of him– if he even looks in his direction, Jack bursts into tears. At first it was very hard for Stephen but he has learned to appreciate little smiles. I have learned to appreciate Stephen’s view of the world and interests.

He brought over a book that he said has meant alot to him called The Shack. I read it almost all of it last night and today during Jack’s naps. It is a great book. About the Trinity. I found it to be refreshing, audacious (can I borrow what has become Obama’s word?), and interesting. An easy read that makes you think, if that is possible. A compelling story that forced me to consider how I view God, and where that view came from. Judging from the combination of glowing and charges of heresy from the Amazon reviews, I would be interested to know if anyone else has an opinion. My husband is currently reading it, and I would like to post a more detailed review, but I’ll leave it at this for now.

Jack pictures

Here

are some new pictures of Jackman trying out the pool, smeared with his new fav food, yellow hummus, and general baby cuteness. Besides having to literally hose him down after every meal, he is a delight and joy to be around these days– cheerful, darling, and such a doll. We are so grateful that he is with us.

Here

is a video of Papa and Jack at Belle Isle after watching some kayakers do their thing at Hollywood Rapids and the James River Rodeo.

Yummy Granola

Here is a recipe for granola. I like it because it is sweet, but not dessert-sweet, crunchy, filling, but not too oily. We have it almost every day for breakfast with some fresh fruit. It is “mine” but I got the idea from Pam Anderson’s book at right.

5 cups ROLLED oats

1 cup chopped nuts of choice. (I have used pecans, sunflower seeds, walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, and flax seeds (but not a full cup of flax seeds) all with roaring success

1/2 cup dried fruit of choice (again, I have used cherries, craisins, raisins, apricots, which all received praise)

4 tsp. vanilla

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup maple syrup (sometimes I use all maple syrup)

1 tsp. salt

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup plus 2 T. oil (like canola)

Preheat oven to 275. Heat liquid ingredients in a saucepan until simmering. Mix together dry ingredients except dried fruit. Pour liquid ingredients over dry. Mix together. Spoon mixture into greased cookie sheet or two. Cook for 30 minutes, stirring when you feel like it. Add dried fruit. Cook for another 20 minutes or so, until granola is golden brown. You really do want it golden brown, so let it keep cooking. It really is impossible to overcook. I left it in there for two hours once and it was very brown, but still great. Let cool and then eat as soon as possible. We eat our with almond milk.

Optional add ins– grated orange, lemon, or lime peel, 1/2 tsp. almond extract

This time I used pecans and raisins with the granola

Jack

Here are a few updated pictures of Jack

and a link to a video of him crawling around, making noises and generally being precious.

and another one

Jack

When I started this blog I imagined that many/most of the posts would be about Jack. However, I have found myself writing more about recipes, events in the neighborhood, and random life lessons about bananas. I don’t know if that’s because subconsciously this has been a nice break from my little man. It is time to scribble some reflections about Jackums.

Jack is now approaching a year–he was eleven months yesterday. I was reading to him today and felt a wave of sadness. Sad that my little squirmy bundle from last year is turning into a little boy–who crawls to the edge of the stairs, pulls down the silverware from the dishwasher, babbles at six in the morning, and has charmed his way into my heart. I just teared up because I am enjoying him so much– I love kissing his downy head and receiving his sticky hugs and kisses, his smiles at his papa. I love reading to him and having him turn pages, watching him explore the kitchen. I have LOVED staying home this past week after school let out. I don’t know if I will be able to go back in the fall.

It has been such an amazing year. This time last year, Jack was still kicking around madly in my belly, and I was thinking “any day now.” Not knowing that it would be a full month until Jack made his grand appearance. I was thinking about how this year has changed me. How this little bundle of energy with his tow headed curls and giggles has given me joy, exhaustion, love. With Jack I have been both more patient and more tired than I knew was humanly possible. It is with bittersweet resignation and celebration that I approach Jack’s first birthday. As Jack relishes food– cherries are his current favorite–and crawls around with increasing speed, I feel the first pangs of sadness at his growing independence. What began at birth as he left the confines of my body and entered the world now continues as he becomes who he was meant to be. Jack– Mama loves you and looks forward with expectation and hope to see who her little baby will become.