Emily's Salad of the Month: December

Roasted Pear Salad

(serves 8-10)

3 firm pears, any variety

1/3 c maple syrup

1 t fresh minced ginger

3 T olive oil

2 T apple cider vinegar

salt and pepper to taste

mixed greens, any variety

1/2 c toasted walnuts

1/2 c blue cheese

Core and slice pears (leave skins on if desired). Place on a foil-lined, rimmed baking sheet. Combine maple syrup and ginger. Drizzle 3 T of mixture over pears, tossing to coat. Roast pears at 500 for 12-15 min, stirring halfway through. Combine remaining maple syrup mixture with olive oil, cider vinegar, salt and pepper. Toss with greens. Cool pears and layer with blue cheese and walnuts over greens.

Benjamin's First Post (to Charlette)

Dad told me what to do on Benjamin's first post. (written to Miss Miriam)

Mommy like running so much. (to Mr. Jaime)

7

I like going to your house.

GMW Berries

Grace discovered how to blow raspberries all on her own two nights ago. When I started to video her, she stopped, but she's so cute. :)
(video missing)
She is now a constant raspberry-blower, during diaper changes, swaddle-time and in the car. :)
L

Fight the Holiday Bulge

(video missing)

A little Cody on our hands?

Yesterday I put together an Advent Wreath, but this morning Jackson decided it needed more (which it did - he has an eye). So he used the acorns he's been collecting to futher adorn it. My favorite touches - capping the candles, a bundle on top of the roses, and an acorn at each corner of the cloth.

In further Dec. 1 news on Lake Austin Blvd.,

- Mary Clement rolled over for the first time yesterday!

- I think I've killed the second batch of ants used to stock our ant farm. The first batch I drowned thinking they were thirsty. Crew Two is looking mighty lethargic. How have I managed to keep three children alive?

- The boys had their 3 & 5-yr. Well-Child Checkups yesterday and both are off the charts for height. This makes me immensely, though I realize irrationally, proud.

- Since they were only 30 cents/pound, I bought 2 20+lb. turkeys the weeks before and after Thanksgiving. I should've figured in labor, b/c I feel like all I'm doing these days is roasting, deboning & slicing turkey, boiling bones, and freezing turkey stock. We've been eating turkey for weeks and the freezer is still packed. (It doesn't help that our neighbor doesn't like dark meat and also bought 2 turkeys. I can't resist free food.)

Happy Advent,
Ruthie