A fun food week

Cold winter days...cooped up indoors...why not try out new recipes?! We have had fun doing some new food things this week, and since Gemma is gaining dexterity and stability in the Bumbo, she sits on the counter and watches. Here we are doing a homemade hot chocolate mix. VERY good and one of the only homemade mixes that does not use powdered creamer (yuck). It's an Alton Brown recipe, click here. We substituted cinnamon for the cayenne and make with half milk/half hot water. Creamy and very nice.

Also this week I have made for the first time...Ricotta! which I then used in ricotta-spinach crepes (the crepes were also a 1st). Thanks to Erik and Jane for the ricotta recipe. It was very easy to make; the only 'trick' was the time needed to let it sit and curdle, and then sit and drip through a cheesecloth. Perfect for snowy days when we spend all afternoon at home.

And for Christmas Jim gave me the bread book, Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day (click here for website). The dough literally takes five minutes to mix up, then you stick it in the fridge and later it takes 5 minutes to shape, 40 minutes to rise, and into the oven it goes (on a pizza stone). With some new instructions I tried this idea again (did it last Nov/Dec with some success) - following the light whole wheat bread recipe - and this time the bread turned out great! Delicious, crunchy crust. I'm really excited to try the other variations.

In addition to loaf bread, this week we also used the dough to make pizza crust. Again, very easy and fast: 10 minutes to shape, no rise, pop in the oven for 10 minutes. Delicious. Crunchy but chewy on the inside. We are going to continue to work on perfecting this dough as it's the ideal crust that we enjoy right now, not as bread-y and thick, but thinner and lighter, like traditional wood-fired crust. That's bacon-spinach-onion pizza. YUM.

Winter Days and 4 Months Old

On these cold winter days, we have been mostly staying around home (and getting over colds caught in Durham...), though Jim is back to the work and classes routine - two classes and an independent study, for what is hopefully his final semester of classes in this program.

Gemma likes to lend a hand at the computer as we've been sorting through Christmas pictures and videos, and getting our new laptop (YAY!!) up and running.

Here are the stats from Gemma's four month check-up:

• 14 lbs, 4 oz (50th-75th percentile)
• 26 inches (95th percentile - wow, she grew almost 3 inches in 2 months)
  

Fortunately it hasn't been so cold that we've not been able to go outside, so every afternoon we bundle up and go for a walk around the neighborhood. Look at that cute little yellow bug. She rides in the front carrier and gazes around at the sky, the trees and the snow. Since returning from Durham, she seems inspired by her cousins Asher and Wes and has been more vocal than ever - squealing loudly and giggling and gurgling - particularly when we go in to get her once she wakes up from a nap.

More Durham Time!

Of course one of the best parts of family time and holidays is the opportunity to do some recipes together! especially ones that we don't normally do during the year, like DONUTS!! As in our childhood days, making donuts is quite a long process but worth it: many hands get involved, the kitchen is a hub-bub, and everybody gets glaze on their cheeks from eating the soft, warm donut holes...

Lillian was Jim's diligent and careful helper with decorating the donut holes. She was very helpful in the kitchen all week - she and Jim also did cinnamon rolls together, and she helped multiple times with dinner preparations.

Several evenings P&R came over for gift unwrapping - and the 1st annual sibling dinner showdown. Well, that sounds more competitive that it really was; the reality was that four evenings we shared in a full meal prepared by one of the four sibs. Hear, hear! If we do this next summer, Pete is already scheduled for ribs. Right?!

This marks two Christmases in a row that Lillian and I have done a gingerbread house together. She was very careful and did a really great job!

Even on chilly days we tried to get out and down to the park (so we didn't drive each other crazy in the house). Lillian ran around chasing and talking to other kids; Jack trundled around checking out all the playground equipment & communal trucks; and the three younger ones were happy in the swings - Gemma's first time at Oval Park! (she was smiling and giggling during it, though she looks serious in the photo)

Both Wes and Asher liked going over to Gemma and patting her arm or showing her some toys. (We missed you, Daniel Arthur!) Watch out, next time she'll be crawling and catching up to you.

Christmastime and Family Time in Durham

We had a great 10 days in Durham! In addition to Dad, Mom, Pete, Rita, Craig, Rachel and Asher, four of the Weltys drove up from Texas, so we could all participate in Grandma's memorial service. Wow, four siblings in town at the same time.

The first two days we overlapped with the Posadas, so Gemma got to meet Tia Rebekah and Tia Marianthy (who were the flower girls in our wedding!!). We also played some rockin' games of Take Two at the dining room table.

And of course she met Asher, who was squealing with delight to see her - saying "Hi" and patting her face. We think she's already learned some of his tricks too...as the last two days back in Bloomington she has been very, very talkative.

Of course one of the best parts of December in Durham is the milder weather (though it was still quite chilly) and being able to go out for neighborhood walks. One morning we did a trail walk with the Freys.

Taken just before we got back in the car; can you tell Gemma just woke up from napping in the carrier?

And Uncle Pete! She liked to sit on his chest. By the next time we see him, Gemma will be crawling or walking and then the Fun Uncle will definitely get her riled up.

Enjoying the swing on the porch!

Gemma meets her great grandpa Jack and great Gram. She snuggled contentedly and even got sung a nursery rhyme by Grandpa.

Asher and Wes were reunited (both 10 months old now) and we saw some fun interactions between them as they either shared or argued over toys.

Cousin Lillian was very happy to meet and hold Gemma and talk to her sweetly - watch out, there are two princess granddaughters now.

It was a busy household but sometimes Gemma got some quiet playtime by herself...

Family Christmas in Wheaton, part 2

More great family time...

the BROTHERS!!

Avery and Bella (almost 15 months) loved playing with all of the stuffed animals around the house. "Here, Mom." They would take them out of the basket, hand them to Tiffany, repeat, then reverse the process. (A. on left; B. on right)

Bella liked coming over and pointing at Gemma. Here are the cousins checking each other out. Gemma says, "Oh boy, how can I get her hand into my mouth?"

Christmas morning! (on the 22nd) For the 3rd time, J&J made the cinnamon rolls. This year we tried a variation where you roll cream cheese into the dough before adding the filling - nice! It helped keep the dough moist and yummy for several days following.

the General in charge of all Christmas breakfast preparations...

And this year Noah added an egg dish to our breakfast, cheddar-bacon roll-up eggs. Very tasty. Please do again next year, Noah!


While in Wheaton, Gemma discovered stuffed animals too. There was one bear she liked to gnaw on and fling around while in the swing. This little bear kept her company on the couch one morning.

Not sure what was happening here, but that's life with twins - !

Of course it was so special to see baby Brink (due Mar 2) showing more of herself, and celebrate a bit with the soon-to-be parents. They had two baby showers while in Wheaton, and this pink Michigan onesie was one of the gifts.